An Islamic Treasury of Virtues
11. Islamic Values
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single Muslim to be killed by a spear whose shaft
was wielded by the followers of Muhammad and
the tip held by me.”
A man came to Ibn Umar and accused him of being
the worst of all Muslims. “God knows,” said Ibn
Umar, “that I have not shed the blood of Muslims,
nor have I divided or weakened them. So why do
you accuse me in this way?” The others explained
to him that if he wished, no two Muslims would
disagree over him, meaning thereby that they wish
him to stand for the Caliphate. But Ibn Umar said
that he would not like to be Caliph without having
everyone’s wholehearted support.
(IBN SA‘D
TABAQAT
)
KILLING MUSLIMS TO GAIN POWER IS TO BE
ABHORRED
Abu Areef was one of the vanguard of the Imam
Hasan’s 12,000-strong army, which, led by Abu
Umar Taha, faced Muawiyah on the battlefield. He
recalls how, with their swords still dripping with
the blood of the Syrians, they were overcome by
fury when Hasan made peace with Muawiyah.
